Philippians 1:12-26 - The Progress Of The Gospel

¹² Now I want to assure you, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in furthering the preaching of the good news. ¹³ Thus it is generally known throughout the Imperial Guard and elsewhere that it is for the sake of Christ that I am in prison, ¹⁴ and so most of the Christian brothers have been exceedingly encouraged by my example to declare God's message without any fear of the consequences. ¹⁵ Some of them, it is true, are actually preaching the Christ from jealousy and partisanship, but there are others who are doing it out of good-will. ¹⁶ These latter do it from love for me, for they know that God has put me where I am to defend our right to preach the good news. ¹⁷ But the others are preaching the Christ not sincerely but for their own ends, imagining that they are making my imprisonment harder to bear. ¹⁸ But what difference does it make? All that matters is that, in one way or another, from false motives or honest ones, Christ is being made known; I am glad of that. Yes, and I expect to be glad, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all this will turn out for my highest welfare, ²⁰ for I eagerly and confidently hope that I shall never disgrace myself but that this time as always hitherto, living or dying, I shall do Christ credit by my unfailing courage.

²¹ For, as I see it, living means Christ and dying something even better. ²² But if living on here means having my labor bear fruit, I cannot tell which to choose. ²³ I am undecided between the two, for I long to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better, ²⁴ and yet your needs make it very necessary for me to stay on here. ²⁵ I am convinced of this, and so I know that I shall stay on and serve you all, to help you to develop and to be glad in your faith. ²⁶ So you will find in me fresh cause for Christian exultation, through having me with you again.